The Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 23 Attorneys from Willams Parker

Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest law firm, is proud to announce that twenty-three attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Selection in Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising over six million confidential evaluations by attorneys across the country. Because no fee or purchase is required, being listed is a singular honor.

Among the honorees include Charles D. Bailey III (Land Use and Zoning Law), Charles D. Bailey Jr. (Land Use and Zoning Law), Zachary B. Buffington (Corporate Law), Peter T. Currin (Real Estate Law), Gail E. Farb (Employment Law – Management), Christa L. Folkers (Real Estate Law), Jennifer M. Fowler (Employment Law – Management), Rose-Anne B. Frano (Trusts and Estates Law), Ric Gregoria (Trusts and Estates Law), Thomas B. Luzier (Real Estate Law), Thomas J. McLaughlin (Tax Law), John L. Moore (Corporate Law), Bonnie Lee Polk (Litigation – Trusts and Estates Law), Patrick W. Ryskamp (Real Estate Law), Mark A. Schwartz (Litigation – Trusts and Estates Law), Barry F. Spivey (Litigation – Trusts and Estates Law), Jeffrey T. Troiano (Trusts and Estates Law), E. John Wagner II (Tax Law), Michael J. Wilson (Corporate Law, Tax Law).

Elizabeth P. Cottom (Diaz) (Trusts and Estates Law), Nicole F. Cromie (Real Estate Law), Mallory D. Osteen (Business Organizations and Real Estate Law), and Fletcher H. Rush (Trusts and Estates Law) have been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list.

In addition, Charles D. Bailey Jr., Patrick W. Ryskamp, and Michael J. Wilson have been recognized as 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” recipients, an honor awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region.

“This recognition is a testament to the caliber of talent and dedication within our firm,” said Michael J. Wilson, President of Williams Parker. “We take pride in fostering a culture where excellence is expected, collaboration is valued, and client service is paramount.”

About Williams Parker

Founded in 1925, Williams Parker has been defined by its commitment to its clients, service to the community, and devotion to excellence in the practice of law. Today, Williams Parker is one of the Gulf Coast’s largest law firms with more than 45 lawyers and offers Florida’s largest trusts and estates legal teams, as well as accomplished real
estate, tax, corporate, labor and employment, healthcare, intellectual property, and litigation and dispute resolution practices.

Williams Parker attorneys hold advanced degrees in taxation, accounting, or business, or are board-certified by the Florida Bar as specialists in their fields. The firm’s practices and lawyers are regularly recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, “Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firms,” Florida Trend’s “Florida Legal Elite,” and “Super Lawyers.” Williams Parker serves clients’ needs globally through its membership in Ally Law, an international alliance of 80 law firms with 2,800 lawyers in 100 business centers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.williamsparker.com/.